Best Dog Backpacks For Hiking 2023

If you’re an avid hiker and a dog lover, it’s time to equip your furry friend with the top best dog backpack for hiking. These backpacks are designed to help your dog carry his own supplies, including water, food, and other essentials, without compromising his comfort and safety. Not only will this free up your backpack, but it will also make your dog feel like a valuable part of the hiking team. With a wide range of backpacks available on the market, choosing the one that fits your dog’s size, weight, and activity level is essential. Here we’ll introduce you to some of the best dog backpack for hiking that are durable, lightweight, and comfortable for your furry companion.

What is the Best Dog Backpack Carrier

What is the Best Dog Backpack Carrier

Kurgo G-Train K9 Backpack

The Kurgo G-Train K9 is a small hiking backpack specially made for pets up to 25 lbs, with an interior Swivel tether that latches onto a harness to keep your pet secure. The pack comes with a water-resistant fabric top and waterproof plus muck proof armorsole bottom. The backpack can be turned into a carrier anytime you want with its stow-away shoulder straps, a carrier handle; both at the front and top, and a padded back that helps it lay flat. It has a roll-up mesh window for your pet to look out from!

This backpack is lightweight, rugged and tough, yet has soft padded compartments for your pet and belongings. The backpack has a padded laptop compartment, a breathable mesh side and top, and two water bottle sleeves.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Well ventilated
  • High quality

Cons

  • High price
  • Straps not padded

Kurgo G-Train K9 Backpack

Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack

This K9 Dog Pack is known to be a favorite amongst pet owners who love to take their four-legged friends along on every adventure. The K9 Dog Pack is a saddle bag style backpack tailored for your pet so that they can carry their own accessories during outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, going for walks etc.

The pack has a metal D-ring attachment point for a leash with an ergonomically tapered torso shape approved by a vet! The interior is coated with weather and water-resistant materials. 

The pack is made comfortable to carry with the help of a 4-point adjustable chest harness with a padded sternum pad and an independently adjustable back harness for a custom fit. The bag also has a single adjustable belly strap, a padded tubular grab handle and two pannier compartments with zippered accessory pockets. To make the journey smooth and comfortable for your dog, the bag has been fitted with mesh panels and perforated EVA foam against the canine body, providing increased ventilation.

The Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack comes in multiple sizes. The large one is best suited for dogs over 80 pounds with large girth chests. Medium size is best for dogs weighing 40-90 pounds with medium girth chests, and the small size is most suitable for dogs between 20-50 pounds with small girth chests. 

All in all, these backpacks are the best option for taking your dog on outdoor adventures, letting your furry friend run free while carrying his own baggage.

Pros

  • Good quality
  • Great capacity
  • Good Durability
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Plastic buckles

Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack

Outward Hound DayPak

The Outward Hound Daypak is a bestseller and is high on the list of the most popular dog backpacks. The pack is saddled with two storage compartments on each side for even distribution making a total of four compartments, providing plenty of room for food, water, training accessories and more.

The DayPak doggy backpack is constructed to keep your four-legged friend comfortable with the help of breathable mesh fabric, adjustable straps, and bright colors for high visibility so you can stay worry-free day or night!

To increase your pet’s compatibility with the DayPak, it comes in medium and large sizes to make it easy for you to pick a size that is just perfect for your dog based on its girth measurement. 

The Outward Hound DayPak is the ultimate lightweight and convenient pack for your pet that can comfortably fit extra essentials you may need while exploring the great outdoors.

Pros

  • Water-resistant
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to clean
  • Comfortable
  •  Durable
  •  Sturdy

Cons

  • The D-ring is not welded

Outward Hound DayPak

Kurgo Dog Saddlebag

The Kurgo Dog Saddlebag comes highly recommended with its integrated dog harness and padded handle. The pack includes a rear-mounted leash ring with an integrated dog harness to attach a pet leash. The rear D-ring can also be utilized as a bottle opener.

This multi-purpose pack also has a large handle for extra control over your pet or to assist them over obstacles. Another feature of the bag is a reflective trim aiding your visibility in the dark. 

It has sufficient storage space with two side pockets which you can use to store your pet’s food, water, hiking accessories or any other such necessities. This leaves you and your pet at liberty to have as many adventures as you want!

It comes in two sizes; Baxter size and Big Baxter size. The Baxter size is for dogs weighing 30-85 pounds, whereas the Big Baxter size is more suitable for dogs from 50-110 pounds.

Overall, this pack is perfect for short-day trips with your pet!

Pros

  • Durable
  • Comfortable
  • Sturdy
  • Flexible adjustability

Cons

  • Irremovable saddle bags
  • Smaller capacity
  • High-end price wise

Kurgo Dog Saddlebag

Best Dog Backpacks For Hiking

2PET Dog Saddlebags

The 2PET Dog Saddlebag is the ideal bag for all outdoor activities! Best suitable for large dogs, the bag features a solid and sturdy yet soft and comfortable harness. The harness is easily adjustable and has snap hooks for instant locking and unlocking. These bags have been made with comfort for the dog as a priority, ensuring that no pressure gets on the back. The gripping of the bag has been made in such a way that it easily gets fastened to the dog’s body and has no danger of slipping off. It also has a top handle for easy and comfortable carrying.

These backpacks feature roomy detachable saddles on either side, which can be attached to the harness with velcro belts. They contain spacious zippered mesh pockets and elastic water bottle holders that can carry your little friend’s essentials with no problems! The many pockets of the pack ensure neat organization.

With the variety in colors, pick the best match for your dog, and you’re all set for an unforgettable outdoor adventure! 

2 PET Dog Saddlebags

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Durable 
  • Detachable saddles
  • Stable

Cons

  • Smaller pockets

K9 Sport Sack Backpack

The K9 Sport Sack Backpack is a high-demand backpack that makes for a brilliant companion for your pet. The pack has been made highly comfortable with a padded back side, a robust 20mm thick bottom rest pad, dog lumbar support straps, an upgraded easy-pull SBS zipper and fully ventilated sides for maximum airflow.

The bag is further equipped with a safety carabiner for collar hook-up, a K9 Whistle Clip on light reflecting sternum strap and a soft velcro side for custom name tags, safety light etc. 

It has ample storage space featuring dual side pockets and a storage pocket extending underneath the pet base to the bottom of the frame. You can store water, food, and other such necessities with no worries at all!

The pack comes in sizes ranging from XS–XL. Match your dog with the best match, and don’t let him miss out on any hiking adventures! 

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Durable
  • Comfortable 
  • Easy to clean 

Cons

  • Pricey

K9 Sport Sack Backpack

ROCCOPET Dog Carrier Backpack

With the ROCCOPET Dog Backpack, you can comfortably take your pet on hikes, camping, skiing or other outdoor adventures! Your pet won’t have to stay behind while you are out having fun. This backpack is designed for pets up to 25 lbs, made with water-resistant material and a unique water and muck-proof base, which is easy to wipe clean, ensuring the pack’s durability. The upgraded whole YKK zipper also adds to the durability. 

The bag has been designed with comfort as a high priority. Ergonomic design shoulder straps and ventilated back panel provide comfort for longtime carrying. The hip belt and sternum strap help reduce the stress of carrying the pack during excursions. To ensure that your pet can breathe properly and comfortably while in the bag, it has been equipped with a top mesh window, four ventilation holes on both sides, a breathable mesh side pocket that can hold a carry fan for air circulation in summers, and inner layer pockets that can carry ice packs in summers or warmer packs in winters. 

This pack has been perfected with double independently rollable windows, the first being a sturdy mesh window ensuring visibility and ventilation, on top of which, there is a second rollable window made waterproof and designed for rainy days to keep your pet dry and safe!

It is a versatile and multi-purpose bag designed so that you can carry it as a backpack, a carrier or a hand-held. The bag has ample space to store your things aside from your pet. The roomy front compartment provides comfortable space for your pet while also having another compartment at the back that can hold your laptop or other essentials comfortably! This dog carrier backpack is furnished with two zippered fanny packs on the belt for smaller items and multiple hidden storage layers on the back.

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Comfortable
  • Ample storage

Cons

  • Not ventilated enough
  • Not built for larger dogs

ROCCOPET Dog Carrier Backpack

Petsfit Dog Backpack

The Petsfit pet backpack is a spacious carrier that measures 13.5″L x 12.5″W x 17.5″H, making it perfect for cats, dogs, and bunnies weighing up to 22 lbs/10kg. The backpack is designed to keep your pet comfortable during travel, with a firmly reinforced structure that prevents it from collapsing on your pet. It also features a removable cozy mat for easy cleaning, four mesh windows that provide excellent air circulation and visibility, and durable lockable zippers that keep your pet safely inside.

The backpack has shoulder straps, a waist buckle, and a chest buckle that help reduce the weight burden on your shoulders and prevent the straps from slipping while your pet is moving. Made from extra durable 600D Oxford Cloth, this cat backpack carrier is built to last and withstand scratches and gnawing from your pets. It also has double side pockets that can be used to store food, water, garbage bags, and other small items.

This backpack carrier is versatile and can be used for biking, camping, outdoor walking, or meeting friends. The built-in safety belt and thickened zipper on the bottom provide better security for your pets, ensuring they stay safe and comfortable on the go. Overall, this cat backpack carrier is a practical and reliable choice for pet owners who want to transport their pets in comfort and style.

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Durable
  • Great ventilation

Cons

  • Relatively smaller
  • Relatively less comfortable

Petsfit Dog Backpack 

Pecute Pet Carrier Backpack

The Pecute Pet Carrier Backpack is a unique bag designed with an expandable back that gives your pet more space to rest and increases air circulation significantly. It ensures that your pet feels as comfortable and safe as possible. The top of the backpack can be flipped open for your pet to stick its head out and enjoy nature to its fill. You can zip the cover on the mesh for breathability and visibility or snap on the shade cover for protection from the sun. There are four venting holes plus a net venting design on the left and right sides to ensure maximum air circulation and no sultry heat. 

This pack ensures maximum comfortability for your pet as it comes equipped with a removable firm bottom that can be unzipped and features soft, comfy padding for your little friend to sit or sleep on with no issues. The bag has been made light and comfortable for you while carrying it as well with its widened design, adjustable shoulder pad that helps reduce load and increases comfort, and two retractable buckles on the top and bottom of the carrier backpack, which help prevent shoulder strap deviation and maintain the stability of the carrier.

The bag is highly durable, manufactured with high-quality 300D oxford cloth, which is waterproof, anti-scratch, environment-friendly, non-toxic, and non-irritating. There is space where you can store all your necessities in the bag on one side and dump all the waste bags on the other.

Pros

  • Built-in retractable safety rope
  • Durable
  • Collapsible side pocket
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Sensitive to heat

Pecute Pet Carrier Backpack

COVONO Expandable Pet Carrier Backpack

The COVONO Expandable pet carrier provides the best space and ventilation. With its expandable rear design, the space inside the backpack can be doubled and provide plenty of room for your pet while also increasing air circulation.

This backpack ensures excellent ventilation and visibility simultaneously, using one large transparent acrylic window, three breathable mesh windows and nine venting holes. This ensures that your pet can breathe freely while also enjoying seeing the outside world.

The carrier backpack is equipped with both waist and chest buckles to give you extra support and maintain the stability of the backpack, and helps prevent pets from slipping. The shoulder straps are aided with extra thick padding for high comfort value. 

This backpack is accessible for a varying range of sizes, ensuring that you can pick the one best suited for your pet for maximum comfort and functionality!

Pros

  • Safety rope
  • Comfortable
  • Good ventilation
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Less durability

COVONO Expandable Pet Carrier Backpack

Also read: How to Pack a Backpack for Camping

FAQ:

Q1) What size backpack should I get for my dog? 

Ans) The size of the dog backpack you should get depends on the size and weight of your dog. Measure your dog’s girth and length to ensure that the backpack fits comfortably and does not cause any chafing or discomfort.

Q2) Are dog backpacks safe for my pet, and how do I prevent injuries?

Ans) Dog backpacks are generally safe for pets to wear as long as they are properly fitted and adjusted. To prevent injuries, ensure the backpack is not too heavy for your pet and be mindful of the terrain you are hiking on.

Q3) How much weight can my dog carry in a backpack? 

Ans) The weight your dog can carry in a backpack depends on your dog’s size, breed, and physical condition. As a general rule, dogs should not carry more than 25% of their body weight.

Conclusion:

These dog backpacks are a practical and beneficial accessory for outdoor adventures with your furry companion! They provide an excellent way to evenly distribute weight, giving dogs a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It is, however, Essential to choose the right size and fit for your dog, gradually acclimate them to the backpack, and ensure that the weight is appropriate for their size and endurance. With proper use and training, dog backpacks can be a valuable addition to an enjoyable hiking experience with your canine companion.